Race organizer and producer Hello Vélo (hellovelo.ca), Toronto’s premier performance cycling boutique, today announced that Canadian professional cyclist Ryder Hesjedal has agreed to race in the 2010 SPORTSNET.CA Queen’s Park Grand Prix on September 19th.

Victoria B.C. native Ryder Hesjedal is currently ranked 11th in the world by the UCI. He finished 7th in the 2010 Tour de France, the best result by a Canadian since Steve Bauer placed 4th in 1988.

“We’re elated that Ryder has agreed to race in this year’s Queen’s Park Grand Prix,” said Paul Parker, owner of Hello Vélo. “His presence will ensure a fantastic race, elevating the competition, drawing other pros to the race and at the same time generating excitement among fans for the sport of cycling.”

“I love racing in Canada and seeing the enthusiasm of Canadian fans,” said Ryder Hesjedal. “I hope by racing in this year’s Queen’s Park Grand Prix I can be an inspiration to young cyclists to take up the sport and for me that would be the best result of all.”

The SPORTSNET.CA Queen’s Park Grand Prix will feature three distinct races on the roads circling Queen’s Park in Toronto. The first race will be a 45 minute Master’s Open Race for amateur men, followed by a 60 km Women’s Elite Race and an 85 km Men’s Pro Am Race, the premier race attracting world class cyclists.

The ProAm race is open to male Senior 1 UCI-carded individuals with Senior 2 racers also eligible to participate if part of an S1 team. With a total estimated purse of $5,000 the field will be limited to 110 racers with priority positions being offered to teams. The ProAm will be 80 kilometers in length including a 2 lap neutral start.